Final answer:
Biomechanists are indeed involved in testing new fabrics, applying principles of biomimetics to assess and enhance performance. They leverage their understanding of biopolymers and physics to innovate in material technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biomechanists are involved in multiple facets of material evaluation, including the testing of new fabrics. Their work assesses how these materials might contribute to performance in various applications. This involves understanding the properties of biological materials like toughness, flexibility, and density and applying these principles to create better performing materials, guided by the practice of biomimetics.
Biopolymers, such as collagen, display a combination of toughness and elasticity which are desirable characteristics for performance textiles. By analyzing biological materials, biomechanists can explore new frontiers in fabric technology to enhance the effectiveness of sportswear and protective clothing. Sports science benefit from their understanding of physics concepts such as momentum and rotational motion, which can affect the performance of fabrics in dynamic situations.
So, it is true that biomechanists play a role in fabric testing for performance contributions. They bridge the gap between biological inspiration and engineered materials, using scientific experiments and mathematical models to improve technology and applications in diverse fields.